Problems with new car -- Need Advice

[firefly3535]

So I recently bought a 2007 Subaru Impreza like 3 months ago, and I already need to repair it twice!!

First incident was only 1 week into the car, and somehow the computer chip of the car was defective and the car suddenly stopped functioning. This was when I was actually driving on the highway during rush hour and the car suddenly stalled on me. It was definitely unfortunate and you think that they do quality assurance testing on the car before they release it to dealerships when it has something to do with the computer aspects of the car.

Anyway, so second incident just happened recently when I was able to turn on the ignition, but it won't allow me to change my gear from Park. It was stuck at Park and I had to use a screwdriver to release the gear shifter to change it to Neutral in order to drive the car. It was really frustrating how another problem occurred again within months of purchasing it. Another thing pissed me off was we contacted CAA, and we had 4 people in the car that day, and the CAA tele-rep said they can only take 2 ppl home. CAA are not responsible for taking the remaining passengers home if they are not 160km away from the incident. This is so ridiculous!! What if I actually purchased a van and I had 7 ppl with me?!!

I got this car from Markham Subaru and their sales rep and service sucks! I am happy with my car, is just I so upset with how 2 problems occurred already. Are there any legal actions I can take? Cause from the first incident, of course the dealership refused to take the car back cause it already left the lot and it is now under my name. But it really appears that they sold me a lemon car...any advice? Thanks...

[ES_Revenge]

Anyway, so second incident just happened recently when I was able to turn on the ignition, but it won't allow me to change my gear from Park. It was stuck at Park and I had to use a screwdriver to release the gear shifter to change it to Neutral in order to drive the car. It was really frustrating how another problem occurred again within months of purchasing it.

It sounds like a problem with one of the BTSI solenoids or perhaps related wiring. I can imagine it's frustrating but I mean you can't really do much else than getting it fixed under warranty.


Another thing pissed me off was we contacted CAA, and we had 4 people in the car that day, and the CAA tele-rep said they can only take 2 ppl home. CAA are not responsible for taking the remaining passengers home if they are not 160km away from the incident. This is so ridiculous!! What if I actually purchased a van and I had 7 ppl with me?!!
Well thems the breaks I guess, lol. Seriously though I think this is because most tow trucks only have space for the driver and two other people, meaning they'd have to send another vehicle (other than the truck towing your vechile) out to get the other ppl. Since that's the case they make it part of their membership so that you can only get 2 ppl transported from the breakdown site unless it's a far distance from where you live or the shop it's going to...

Why it's a 160km range is probably a carry over from AAA I'd imagine (since 160km is around 100 miles). I think it's a little silly myself and think it should be more around 40km but I guess those are their rules. If you're really that upset about it you'd probably have to cancel your membership.

I'm surprised though, Subaru doesn't offer Roadside Assistance with their new vehicles? Or is their included coverage under CAA?


I got this car from Markham Subaru and their sales rep and service sucks!
Well yet another dealership to add to the list of stealerships that stink/not to go too. Sad :(


I am happy with my car, is just I so upset with how 2 problems occurred already. Are there any legal actions I can take?
At this point? I hardly think so. There's only been two problems and they aren't really that major. Yes they left you stranded but it's not like the engine or trans blew up or the wheels flew off, lol. Your "legal action" to take is simply getting the car fixed under warranty--that's what the warranty is for you know.


Cause from the first incident, of course the dealership refused to take the car back cause it already left the lot and it is now under my name.
Wait, what now? Take the car back? LOL. This isn't Future Shop and it's not like you bought a digital camera it stopped working and you just go and exchange it. Obviously they are not going to "take the car back". Again that's what your warranty is for. The warranty isn't there to take cars back, it's there to fix any problems you have with the car while it's within the warranty period, and provided it's something covered under the warranty. Whether it happens the day after you bought the car or two years into the warranty, it's the same thing. Ther is no "refund/exchange period" as again, this isn't like you're buying something from Best Buy.

Now it is possible you got a "lemon" but if it was a new car, I barely think you can blame that on the dealer. Subaru doesn't send them cars with stickers on them in the shape of a lemon saying "THIS ONE'S A LEMON!" :rolleyes:

[weedb0y]

Great that you picked out an import ;) I would hate to have this thread go to 4 pages hating GM, Chrysler or Ford.

Good luck with everything, warranty is your only course to solve these problems. I also believe that there is also a Lemon law in effect in Ontario as well.

[VivienM]

Great that you picked out an import ;) I would hate to have this thread go to 4 pages hating GM, Chrysler or Ford.

I was going to make a smart a** comment about how the OP should have bought a GM, but it's not nice to kick your opponent when he's down...

[3weddings]

Unfortunately since there are no lemon laws in Canada, you are stuck with dealing with the vehicles problems under warranty.

My ordered LZR CRZR was taken right back to the dealership when I picked it up from the leasing company!!! Within the hour!

[Menace]

CAA has the CAA RV Plus package. Don't expect too much from CAA Basic.


Another thing pissed me off was we contacted CAA, and we had 4 people in the car that day, and the CAA tele-rep said they can only take 2 ppl home. CAA are not responsible for taking the remaining passengers home if they are not 160km away from the incident. This is so ridiculous!! What if I actually purchased a van and I had 7 ppl with me?!!
.

[namewitheld]

Your car is only three months old why have you not been taking this up with the dealer. Why did you not tow it there and have them pay?
2 problems with a car does not make it a lemon and whatever the problem was (you did not say) hardly makes it a quality assurance issue at the factory.
Being stuck in park could be any number of problems, again, you did not say what the solution was. Were both these problems your fault?
From the Subaru Canada website:
"Every vehicle Subaru makes is designed and engineered to give you peace of mind and keep you safely on the road. However, Subaru Canada, Inc.'s commitment to your peace of mind doesn't end there. With the convenient SUBARU C.A.R.E. (Customer Assistance for Roadside Emergencies) program, members are guaranteed not only quick, courteous emergency roadside assistance in Canada and the United States, but also other benefits designed to ensure an extraordinary experience with your Subaru - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."
Something you missed?

[ES_Revenge]

Unfortunately since there are no lemon laws in Canada,
That is unfortunate, however even if there were, it's irrelevant. The car is not a lemon, it's had two problems. That hardly qualifies it as a lemon...

[VivienM]

The car is not a lemon, it's had two problems. That hardly qualifies it as a lemon...

If the car was made by GM or Ford or Chrysler, everybody on this forum would say it was a lemon after one problem, let alone two. :)

[namewitheld]

If the car was made by GM or Ford or Chrysler, everybody on this forum would say it was a lemon after one problem, let alone two. :)

Man, you must have a domestic car paranoia syndrome or what? :confused:
So you have a domestic car, big deal, get over it, we have.

[VivienM]

Man, you must have a domestic car paranoia syndrome or what? :confused:
So you have a domestic car, big deal, get over it, we have.

I don't have a domestic car (unfortunately)... which may be why I rant about them. :P Don't have an import, unless you count the Zipcar Mazda 3 down the street as my car. (Another rant: why does Zipcar not have any domestics in their fleet?)

I need to move out of Toronto... According to Kanetix, same insurance company that would want $2800/year to insure me a W body here would want $1000 if I lived in Calgary...

[googoo]

"I was going to make a smart a** comment about how the OP should have bought a GM"

Until you realized that would be an even worse mistake right:)

OH and I forgot, what Gm mid sized car are full time AWD .... maybe I missed them:|

Brent

[SkiD]

OH and I forgot, what Gm mid sized car are full time AWD .... maybe I missed them:|

Brent

Saab 9-3
Cadillac CTS

[googoo]

Are these really full time Awd?

Brent

Probably similar to the Acura system I would think, that's without looking around of course because it means I'd have to go onto a GM website, and I'd feel sooo dirty doing that.

Brent

[weedb0y]

Are these really full time Awd?

Brent

Probably similar to the Acura system I would think, that's without looking around of course because it means I'd have to go onto a GM website, and I'd feel sooo dirty doing that.

Brent

GM's premium cars are pretty good.

[mau108]

^" why must you guys take this thread off topic :P

To the OP, the first problem just sounds like a manufacturer defect, its fixed be happy. The second problem sounds like user error, were you parked on a very steep hill when this happened? Usually the tranny will lock it self when your parked on a steep hill without using the handbrake (safety feature) thats when you use the shift lock.

Always when parking your car (especially on a steep hill) and its an auto, come to a stop in D, Pull handbrake, put into N, release foot brake, put into park. This will prevent any problems pertaining to tranny lock.

[actng]

wow and people diss VW for quality?

both of these issues are post sales "service" issues. bring it to the service department and ask them nicely to have this fixed.

after the sale is done, they're not going to take the car back. not unless you want to trade in your car for another one.

there's no legal action - you could try but a lemon is a lemon.

[tkyoshi]

I don't have a domestic car (unfortunately)... which may be why I rant about them. :P Don't have an import, unless you count the Zipcar Mazda 3 down the street as my car. (Another rant: why does Zipcar not have any domestics in their fleet?)

I need to move out of Toronto... According to Kanetix, same insurance company that would want $2800/year to insure me a W body here would want $1000 if I lived in Calgary...

I know it's off topic, but Zipcar does have some "domestics" in their fleet. They have Pontiac Vibe's and Ford Escapes. But they do seem to have less than most car sharing companies. Zip doesn't seem to have any minivan's either.

Back on Topic, To the OP, good luck with your car. You'll just have to use the warranty and try and get it all fixed up. It also helps a lot if you don't go around the dealership screaming your head off. Try to work with them, if you find they are not meeting your needs, try a different dealership.

[firefly3535]

Your car is only three months old why have you not been taking this up with the dealer. Why did you not tow it there and have them pay?
2 problems with a car does not make it a lemon and whatever the problem was (you did not say) hardly makes it a quality assurance issue at the factory.
Being stuck in park could be any number of problems, again, you did not say what the solution was. Were both these problems your fault?
From the Subaru Canada website:
"Every vehicle Subaru makes is designed and engineered to give you peace of mind and keep you safely on the road. However, Subaru Canada, Inc.'s commitment to your peace of mind doesn't end there. With the convenient SUBARU C.A.R.E. (Customer Assistance for Roadside Emergencies) program, members are guaranteed not only quick, courteous emergency roadside assistance in Canada and the United States, but also other benefits designed to ensure an extraordinary experience with your Subaru - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."
Something you missed?

The first problem was computer chip defective, which caused the car to completely stall and could not start the car. They had to replace the computer chip.

The second problem was the "Brake Light Shift" was not functioning. This was why even I depress the brake, it did not give feedback for the gear box to recognize that I did press down the brake to allow me to change gears. So they had to replace that light.

Well..obviously with these problems on the road, my car is not giving me a piece of mind and keep me THAT safe on the road when suddenly my car can just stopped functioning as I'm driving. I did bring up my concerns with my dealer, and I should really file a complaint to Subaru Canada.

[sixer]

Sorry to hear about your luck. Could be worse, could have bought a VW.

[ar_ken]

Subaru? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... it's YOUR problem.. because you didn't take care of the car... I mean... Subaru's don't break right? NO THEY DON'T!!! :lol: :cheesygri :D